We have today received the following communication from the Home Office.

“The Minister has now signed the relevant Statutory Instrument to bring in the Offensive Weapons Act prohibitions. A copy of the Instrument is available on the legislation website – here is the link: www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/819

As you will see, the prohibitions come in to effect on Wednesday 14 July. “

Please note that possession of these items will become prohibited from next Wednesday. In the unlikely event that you still have one, arrangements should be made with police to surrender it, or get it to an RFD with the appropriate permit (NRA is one such), or indeed if you know anyone who has one, please advise them.

BSSC has written to the Home Office regarding a number of people who may potentially be unaware of the prohibition or the expired compensation scheme.

Derek Stimpson